Self-positioning tailgate cover

Abstract

A thermoformed thermoplastic panel has three V-shaped protrusions which extend into engagement with the ramped depressions within a truck tailgate to automatically align the upper edge of the panel with the rail cap of the tailgate. The panel forms a protective cover for the tailgate and is held in place by screws having large, wide, flat heads which overlie the upper surface of the cover. The screws have shanks which have a nonthreaded portion adjacent to the head and a tapered, threaded portion at the end. The screws are tightened to bring the tailgate cover upper edge adjacent to the tailgate cap.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a truck having a tailgate with an inner surface having a longitudinally extending depression formed therein, said depression having a ramped sidewall which is inclined toward an upper tailgate rail, and the rail having a protective cap mounted thereon, the cap having a lower edge which projects above the tailgate surface, wherein the improvement comprises: a) a thermoformed thermoplastic liner panel which overlies and protects the tailgate inner surface, wherein the panel has an upper edge which is positioned in proximity to the cap lower edge;   b) portions of the liner panel beneath the panel upper edge which extend outwardly from the panel toward the tailgate surface, the liner extending portions defining a ramped surface which is inclined toward the rail cap lower edge; and   c) fasteners which extend through the liner panel and engage with the tailgate, such that adjustment of the fasteners brings the liner panel into closer proximity to the tailgate surface, said closer proximity causing the liner panel ramped surface to engage with the tailgate depression ramped side wall to drive the liner panel upper edge into abutment with the rail cap lower edge.   
     
     
       2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the liner panel extending portions define a V-shaped groove. 
     
     
       3. The improvement of claim 1 wherein each fastener has a threaded portion which engages with the tailgate and an unthreaded shank which extends through the liner panel. 
     
     
       4. A cover for a truck tailgate, the tailgate having an inner surface and an upper rail, and a protective rail cap with a lower edge mounted to the upper rail; the cover comprising: a) a thermoformed thermoplastic liner panel which overlies the tailgate inner surface, the panel having portions defining fastener holes, wherein the liner panel has an upper edge for abutting the tailgate rail cap lower edge and at least one protrusion extending toward the tailgate inner surface, the protrusion adapted to engage at least one inclined surface of the tailgate; and   c) a plurality of fasteners which extend through the fastener holes to join the liner panel to the tailgate, wherein fastening of the fasteners causes the liner panel protrusion to ride down on the inclined surface of the tailgate and advance the liner panel upper edge into closer proximity to the rail cap lower edge, thus positioning the panel upper edge in alignment with the tailgate rail cap lower edge.   
     
     
       5. The cover of claim 4 wherein each fastener has threaded portions beneath an unthreaded shank which is beneath a fastener head, and wherein the shanks are smaller than the fastener holes, and the heads are wider than the holes, and wherein the nonthreaded shanks are of a length greater than the thickness of the liner panel adjacent the holes, and are of a length at least as thick as the threaded portions, such that when a fastener is fully engaged with the tailgate the head stands off from the surface of the tailgate, allowing movement of the cover when affixed to the tailgate. 
     
     
       6. The cover of claim 4 wherein the panel protrusion is a V-shaped groove having a sidewall away from the upper edge adapted to engage with a linearly extending structure of the tailgate. 
     
     
       7. The cover of claim 6 wherein there are three V-shaped protrusions formed in the liner panel, and wherein the panel has portions defining fastener holes between and on either side of the V-shaped protrusions through which the fasteners extend.